The Turkish American delegation to the Turkish-Canadian Youth Congress in front of the Canadian Parliament building in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Turkish Americans Attend Ninth Annual Turkish-Canadian Youth Congress

A delegation of six Turkish Americans college students and young professionals attended the Council of Turkish Canadian (CTC) 9th Annual Turkish-Canadian Youth Congress from February 10-12, 2017, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The delegation spent the weekend attending meetings with officials and experts, learning about the Canadian political system, and developing a network with their Canadian peers. TCA sponsored the travel for three of the Turkish American participants and CTC sponsored the accommodation and conference participation of all six.

TCA sponsored a roundtable discussion in Key Biscayne, Florida, on February 19 for members of the Florida Turkish American Association (FTAA) and Congressional Turkey Caucus member Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC/5th). Congresswoman Foxx is a former Co-Chair of the Turkey Caucus and is the Chairwoman for the House Education and Workplace Committee in the 115th Congress.

TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and Turkish Americans in southern Florida met with Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL/27th) in Miami, Florida, on February 19, 2017. Discussion focused on U.S.-Turkish Syrian and terrorism issues. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen is the former Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is currently the Chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa.

French Constitutional Court Reaffirms that Crimes Against Humanity or Genocide Must be Established by Competent Courts not Legislature

The Constitutional Council of France repealed a provision of the Law on Equality and Citizenship that aimed to criminalize speech that disputes genocides. The amendment, contained in article 173 of the Law of Equality and Citizenship, had been stealthily inserted into the reform package late last year through efforts by the Armenian French lobby. However, the Constitutional Council repealed the amendment on grounds that it violated France’s Law on the Freedom of Speech and Press and the French Constitution. The Council’s decision described the amendment as an unnecessary and disproportionate attack against freedom of speech. The Council also reaffirmed its earlier decision that a crime against humanity or genocide must be established by a competent court, not by the legislature.

Interview with TCA President Airs on Turkish Radio & Television

On February 11, Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) aired an interview with TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy where he discussed U.S.-Turkey Relations under the new Trump administration. He also discussed the importance of Turkish American civic and political activism, the Congressional Turkey Caucus, and members of the Caucus who have joined the Trump administration.

TCA Honored at Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina 10th Anniversary Gala

TCA received the Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (ACBH) Friendship Award at its 10th Anniversary Gala on February 25, 2017. The ACBH Gala also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the U.S. recognition of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) independence. Also honored at the event for their support of BiH were former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., who also served as the Gala’s keynote speaker, and former Senator Robert J. Dole.

Former U.S. Consul General Visits TCA

Former U.S. Consul General in Istanbul Charles F. Hunter visited the TCA office on February 14, 2017. Mr. Hunter served in Turkey from September 2013 to August 2016.